Tweaking Your Mac

I have received a couple of emails the past couple of days regarding usenetnewsgroup readers and nzb downloading apps. Its a popular, albeit old method of reading news and finding help. The advantage of it is that the posts are global, so you can communicate with the world. I read the latest mac news, of which I have found some helpful advice, on the mac newsgroup. Therefore, I give my list of the top newsgroup readers. If you wish to access the latest newsgroups, I get my subscription through giganews.

This list is in no particular order, and there is a mix of paid and free apps. The list also includes apps which you can use to download nzb files for accessing binary files.

1) Unison

Unison is regarded as the best newsgroup reader. It is a well rounded app designed as a simple way to access the latest newsgroups. It is very similar to mail in its interface and function with regard to messages and articles. I have this app and I find it useful to reader a large number of posts and messages.

It also has a comprehensive nzb file downloader so you can download the various files from newsgroups as you please. This is great if someone has posted a collection of images, or videos and you wish to view them.

Unison is a well rounded reader and nzb downloader.

2) NZBVortex

If you have a usenet subscription and you only use it for downloading files (its a good way of finding unique files), NZBVortex is a fully fledged app designed to download files, unpack them and clean up after itself. Many downloads can have a lot of extra, unneeded files that you don’t need and have only been downloaded to support the file download.

NZBVortex has a simple downloader interface and is designed to be uncluttered.

If you only download files, NZBVortex is a good app.

3) SABnzbd

If you don’t want to shell out for a paid app, SABnzbd is the app for you. It is a free app, designed to be low maintenance and get the drop done. It focus is on file download and is designs as a simple way to download files.

4) NZBDrop

NZBDrop is very similar to NZBVortex, it is designed as a focus app for downloading files. Some people have had a few problems with the app, however once it works it is a good way to download nzb files. I have included it for completeness, however I would recommend Unison or NZBVortex.

Another nzb downloader.

5) Mimo

The last app on the list is Mimo is available for free is on all subscriptions from giganews. It allows you to view newsgroups and download files, it is continually updated unlikely some of the apps on this list. It does everything you need from an app.

Mimo is used a well rounded app for reading newsgroups and downloading files.

Conclusion

There are many great apps out there for using newsgroups. Various people have contacted me on this subject and this is the definitive list. I recommend Unison as it is a well rounded app. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

If you want to keep up with the latests post from Mac Tricks And Tips I recommend you subscribe to the RSS Feed.

About

I'm James, and I have been a Mac user for years. Over this time I have found loads of tips and tricks which have helped me get the most out of my Mac, so I decided to share them with you all. For more info see my about page.

Suggestions

Do you have a tip you want to share, or do you have a suggestion you want to make for a future tip or trick. Then please head over to the contact page and make your comment known.

Contact

Fancy a chat, you can contact me easily. I will respond to any question you ask. Interested in an advertising partnership, have a cool product you want to promote, then please leave a message.